United flight attendants rally for higher pay at Honolulu airport

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - United Airlines flight attendants held a demonstration for higher pay Wednesday at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport as part of a coordinated effort that spanned airports across the country.

Flight attendants with the airline said management has dragged out contract negotiations while their pay has fallen further behind competitors.

Nearly 100% of the Association of Flight Attendants union members have voted to strike, if necessary.

“We are asking for double-digit increases in our base pay. We are also demanding that as first responders, we’re are treated as such. We deserve this,” said United flight attendant Genelle Jucutan-Puga.

“We are aviation’s first responders first and foremost,” Jucutan-Puga added. “We respond to any safety, medical issues that may happen on board, and secondarily we are customer service.”

Organizers said that meetings are scheduled to come to an agreement.

United Airlines said in a statement: “We’re having productive negotiations with the AFA, including last week, and we continue to find common ground. We’re eager to reach the industry-leading contract our flight attendants deserve.”